American Girl Fashion Show hits the runway

The event marks its 25th year this month.

The American Girl Fashion Show is hitting the runway once again this month for what will be its 25th year.

The Flintridge Guild of Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles is hosting the fashion show for the 16th year. The event will be held at Pasadena’s Brookside Golf Club, located at 1133 Rosemont Ave., from March 18 to March 20.

“It’s one of the very few events that has a wholesome atmosphere,” said Charlotte Saydah, president of the Flintridge Guild of Childrens Hospital. “Mothers and grandmothers can bring their daughters and granddaughters to a day that is helping others and is a wholesome environment that is all about being a little girl.”

Guests are invited to dinner on March 18 and tea on March 19 and 20 to celebrate American Girls throughout history. The American Girl phenomenon began with a line of books, dolls and clothing based on fictional girls who dealth with difficult situations often based on American history.

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This year’s American Girl Fashion Show will be unique from previous years because it’s going to be one big fashion show and a birthday party celebrating 25 years of the American Girl all rolled into one, Saydah said.

The event will include refreshments, door prizes and a lesson on how clothing has changed over the years to reflect history, culture and girls’ individual styles. Sixty-four models, from kindergarteners to eighth-graders, will be dressed like fictional American Girls throughout history, appearing in outfits that will matchthe dolls they carry.

The whole event is geared toward every little girl who walks through the door. The goal is to inspire them to achieve their dreams and help people along the way, said Savonia Angelica, fashion show coordinator.

“It goes from ‘Look at my American Girl doll’ to ‘Look at what I can do and how I can help people,’” Angelica said.

The event really comes full circle, as many of the girls who attend or participate in the show have been impacted by the Flintridge Guild of Childrens Hospital in some way, either as a patient or a visitor, Angelica said.

Anna Margaret, Disney recording star, will fly in from her concert tour to appear at each show and sing, “Happy Birthday, American Girl” with the guests along with her signature song, “Something About The Sunshine.” Tournament of Roses Princesses Katie Thomson and Michelle Washington will also be on hand to help with the show’s commentary. Drawings and prizes will be up for grabs throughout the event.

Saydah hopes no one leaves the American Girl Fashion Show empty-handed.

“I hope they all bring home a happy memory to share later when they look back on the pictures and remember the day they shared with their mother, grandmother, daughter or granddaughter,” Saydah said.

Tickets may be purchased online, and reservations can be made at www.flintridgeguildchildrenshospital.org. For further information, contact the Flintridge Guild of Childrens Hospital at (818) 952-7978.